From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

I'm wondering about the best way forward:

My Brother HL-2350DW (B/W laser) printer has been printing paler and paler over the last few months. Naturally I'd prefer that it printed BLACK, not
grey. It still has about 30% toner in the cartridge, according to the printer suport app. The printer itself is about 5 years old (I can't remember, and I can't remember where I bought it !)

Is this because I bought the current cartridge "cheap", i.e. not from Brother?
The price difference between Brother and 3rd-party is huge.

I would buy Brother if I were (say) a small business with customers to impress etc, and a large output, but over 75% of my annual usage is printing a quiz
for the local pub, just 6 or 7 times a year.

Any tips?

John
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

In message <AsP0S.9265$hHIe.455@usenetxs.com>, Another John <lalaw44@hotmail.com> writes

I'm wondering about the best way forward:

My Brother HL-2350DW (B/W laser) printer has been printing paler and paler >over the last few months. Naturally I'd prefer that it printed BLACK, not >grey. It still has about 30% toner in the cartridge, according to the printer >suport app. The printer itself is about 5 years old (I can't remember, and I >can't remember where I bought it !)

Is this because I bought the current cartridge "cheap", i.e. not from Brother?
The price difference between Brother and 3rd-party is huge.

I would buy Brother if I were (say) a small business with customers to impress >etc, and a large output, but over 75% of my annual usage is printing a quiz >for the local pub, just 6 or 7 times a year.

Any tips?

John

Give it a shake , but watch out for dust .

Brian
--
Brian Howie
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Another John <lalaw44@hotmail.com> wrote:

I'm wondering about the best way forward:

My Brother HL-2350DW (B/W laser) printer has been printing paler and paler over the last few months. Naturally I'd prefer that it printed BLACK, not grey. It still has about 30% toner in the cartridge, according to the printer
suport app. The printer itself is about 5 years old (I can't remember, and I can't remember where I bought it !)

Is this because I bought the current cartridge "cheap", i.e. not from Brother?
The price difference between Brother and 3rd-party is huge.

I would buy Brother if I were (say) a small business with customers to impress
etc, and a large output, but over 75% of my annual usage is printing a quiz for the local pub, just 6 or 7 times a year.

First of all, take the cartridge out and give it a good shake. That can
shift around toner that's got stuck at one end or similar.

But aftermarket cartridges often don't have the chips to display the usage level correctly - they have chips that are enough to convince the printer
not to complain, but anything more than that is a frill. So I suspect the cartridge is just empty, even if the printer thinks otherwise.

I have my suspicions that cheap toner carts don't contain as much toner as advertised, but it's hard to tell as usage is based on 5% coverage which in reality may vary wildly based on what you print. I've been recording times
I change cartridges and I'm getting about 3-4k per colour on my colour
Brother: with 4 carts to change I'm changing one cartridge on average every 800-1k pages which feels frequent but isn't when you look at how long a
single colour lasts for.

I'd just buy another cheap cartridge. I bought this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cartridge-Compatible-HL-L2350DW-MFC-L2710DN-DCP-L2510D-1BK-2420/dp/B0CHJSY42Q

and it's been fine in an HL-L2375DW (takes same carts as yours). Haven't
used it for long enough to know the lifetime yet, but it was only a tenner.

Theo
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 30/06/2026 14:51, Theo wrote:

Another John <lalaw44@hotmail.com> wrote:

I'm wondering about the best way forward:

My Brother HL-2350DW (B/W laser) printer has been printing paler and paler >> over the last few months. Naturally I'd prefer that it printed BLACK, not
grey. It still has about 30% toner in the cartridge, according to the printer
suport app. The printer itself is about 5 years old (I can't remember, and I
can't remember where I bought it !)

Is this because I bought the current cartridge "cheap", i.e. not from Brother?
The price difference between Brother and 3rd-party is huge.

I would buy Brother if I were (say) a small business with customers to impress
etc, and a large output, but over 75% of my annual usage is printing a quiz >> for the local pub, just 6 or 7 times a year.

First of all, take the cartridge out and give it a good shake. That can shift around toner that's got stuck at one end or similar.

But aftermarket cartridges often don't have the chips to display the usage level correctly - they have chips that are enough to convince the printer
not to complain, but anything more than that is a frill. So I suspect the cartridge is just empty, even if the printer thinks otherwise.

I have my suspicions that cheap toner carts don't contain as much toner as advertised, but it's hard to tell as usage is based on 5% coverage which in reality may vary wildly based on what you print. I've been recording times
I change cartridges and I'm getting about 3-4k per colour on my colour Brother: with 4 carts to change I'm changing one cartridge on average every 800-1k pages which feels frequent but isn't when you look at how long a single colour lasts for.

I'd just buy another cheap cartridge. I bought this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cartridge-Compatible-HL-L2350DW-MFC-L2710DN-DCP-L2510D-1BK-2420/dp/B0CHJSY42Q

and it's been fine in an HL-L2375DW (takes same carts as yours). Haven't used it for long enough to know the lifetime yet, but it was only a tenner.

Theo

I'm also fairly sure that cheap fake laser printer cartridges don't
contain as much toner as the real thing, perhaps only half as much. But
as they are about a quarter of the price, for my printer model at least (Samsung M2835) I find them reasonable value for money.
--
Clive Page

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 30/06/2026 14:24, Another John wrote:

I'm wondering about the best way forward:

My Brother HL-2350DW (B/W laser) printer has been printing paler and paler over the last few months. Naturally I'd prefer that it printed BLACK, not grey. It still has about 30% toner in the cartridge, according to the printer
suport app. The printer itself is about 5 years old (I can't remember, and I can't remember where I bought it !)

Is this because I bought the current cartridge "cheap", i.e. not from Brother?
The price difference between Brother and 3rd-party is huge.

I would buy Brother if I were (say) a small business with customers to impress
etc, and a large output, but over 75% of my annual usage is printing a quiz for the local pub, just 6 or 7 times a year.

Any tips?

John

Has your printer got a cleanable corona wire?

Dirty Corona Wire: Many drum units (like those in Brother printers) have
a built-in wire that charges the drum. If toner dust or debris covers
this wire, it will cause faded or grey printing. Find the small green or
blue tab on your drum unit and slide it back and forth a few times to
clean the wire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgsliN51d0Q
--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

alan_m <junk@admac.myzen.co.uk> wrote:

On 30/06/2026 14:24, Another John wrote:

I'm wondering about the best way forward:

My Brother HL-2350DW (B/W laser) printer has been printing paler and paler >> over the last few months. Naturally I'd prefer that it printed BLACK, not
grey. It still has about 30% toner in the cartridge, according to the printer
suport app. The printer itself is about 5 years old (I can't remember, and I
can't remember where I bought it !)

Is this because I bought the current cartridge "cheap", i.e. not from Brother?
The price difference between Brother and 3rd-party is huge.

I would buy Brother if I were (say) a small business with customers to impress
etc, and a large output, but over 75% of my annual usage is printing a quiz >> for the local pub, just 6 or 7 times a year.

Any tips?

John

Has your printer got a cleanable corona wire?

Dirty Corona Wire: Many drum units (like those in Brother printers) have
a built-in wire that charges the drum. If toner dust or debris covers
this wire, it will cause faded or grey printing. Find the small green or blue tab on your drum unit and slide it back and forth a few times to
clean the wire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgsliN51d0Q

To the OP: do the above plus install a new cheap toner cartridge.
--
Spike
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 30 Jun 2026 at 14:51:15 BST, "Theo" <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:

Another John <lalaw44@hotmail.com> wrote:

I'm wondering about the best way forward:

My Brother HL-2350DW (B/W laser) printer has been printing paler and paler >> over the last few months. Naturally I'd prefer that it printed BLACK, not
grey. It still has about 30% toner in the cartridge, according to the printer
suport app. The printer itself is about 5 years old (I can't remember, and I
can't remember where I bought it !)

Is this because I bought the current cartridge "cheap", i.e. not from Brother?
The price difference between Brother and 3rd-party is huge.

I would buy Brother if I were (say) a small business with customers to impress
etc, and a large output, but over 75% of my annual usage is printing a quiz >> for the local pub, just 6 or 7 times a year.

First of all, take the cartridge out and give it a good shake. That can shift around toner that's got stuck at one end or similar.

But aftermarket cartridges often don't have the chips to display the usage level correctly - they have chips that are enough to convince the printer
not to complain, but anything more than that is a frill. So I suspect the cartridge is just empty, even if the printer thinks otherwise.

I have my suspicions that cheap toner carts don't contain as much toner as advertised, but it's hard to tell as usage is based on 5% coverage which in reality may vary wildly based on what you print. I've been recording times
I change cartridges and I'm getting about 3-4k per colour on my colour Brother: with 4 carts to change I'm changing one cartridge on average every 800-1k pages which feels frequent but isn't when you look at how long a single colour lasts for.

I'd just buy another cheap cartridge. I bought this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cartridge-Compatible-HL-L2350DW-MFC-L2710DN-DCP-L2510D-1BK-2420/dp/B0CHJSY42Q

and it's been fine in an HL-L2375DW (takes same carts as yours). Haven't used it for long enough to know the lifetime yet, but it was only a tenner.

Theo

Thanks Theo! And thanks to Brian, Clive, Alan, and Spike so far! I feel much more confident about the way to go now.
----- ----- -----
BTW I discovered when and where I got the printer: I bought it at Currys
Online in September 2022, I found no trace in my email (where I go to search for any past events) because Curry's confirmation, etc., only refers to "Your order", which is then detailed in the email by means of a PDF. (I had searched, of course, for brother, printer, laser etc etc,)

Cheers!
Another John
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 30/06/2026 15:34, Spike wrote:

alan_m <junk@admac.myzen.co.uk> wrote:

On 30/06/2026 14:24, Another John wrote:

I'm wondering about the best way forward:

My Brother HL-2350DW (B/W laser) printer has been printing paler and paler >>> over the last few months. Naturally I'd prefer that it printed BLACK, not >>> grey. It still has about 30% toner in the cartridge, according to the printer
suport app. The printer itself is about 5 years old (I can't remember, and I
can't remember where I bought it !)

Is this because I bought the current cartridge "cheap", i.e. not from Brother?
The price difference between Brother and 3rd-party is huge.

I would buy Brother if I were (say) a small business with customers to impress
etc, and a large output, but over 75% of my annual usage is printing a quiz >>> for the local pub, just 6 or 7 times a year.

Any tips?

John

Has your printer got a cleanable corona wire?

Dirty Corona Wire: Many drum units (like those in Brother printers) have
a built-in wire that charges the drum. If toner dust or debris covers
this wire, it will cause faded or grey printing. Find the small green or
blue tab on your drum unit and slide it back and forth a few times to
clean the wire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgsliN51d0Q

To the OP: do the above plus install a new cheap toner cartridge.

If they make one that is compatible with your printer consider a
Xerox cartridge. They know how to do it right!
John

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 30/06/2026 15:34, Spike wrote:

alan_m <junk@admac.myzen.co.uk> wrote:

On 30/06/2026 14:24, Another John wrote:

I'm wondering about the best way forward:

My Brother HL-2350DW (B/W laser) printer has been printing paler and paler >>> over the last few months. Naturally I'd prefer that it printed BLACK, not >>> grey. It still has about 30% toner in the cartridge, according to the printer
suport app. The printer itself is about 5 years old (I can't remember, and I
can't remember where I bought it !)

Is this because I bought the current cartridge "cheap", i.e. not from Brother?
The price difference between Brother and 3rd-party is huge.

I would buy Brother if I were (say) a small business with customers to impress
etc, and a large output, but over 75% of my annual usage is printing a quiz >>> for the local pub, just 6 or 7 times a year.

Any tips?

John

Has your printer got a cleanable corona wire?

Dirty Corona Wire: Many drum units (like those in Brother printers) have
a built-in wire that charges the drum. If toner dust or debris covers
this wire, it will cause faded or grey printing. Find the small green or
blue tab on your drum unit and slide it back and forth a few times to
clean the wire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgsliN51d0Q

To the OP: do the above plus install a new cheap toner cartridge.

Probably the safest and cheapest way to get decent printing back.

One other way to save money (if you don't mind a bit of mess) is to
remove the toner cartridge from a non-working laser printer and transfer
the toner power to your laser printer cartridge. That will only work,
however, for unchipped cartridges without page counters.
--
Jeff
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Another John wrote:

I'm wondering about the best way forward:

My Brother HL-2350DW (B/W laser) printer has been printing paler and paler over the last few months. Naturally I'd prefer that it printed BLACK, not grey. It still has about 30% toner in the cartridge, according to the printer
suport app. The printer itself is about 5 years old (I can't remember, and I can't remember where I bought it !)

Is this because I bought the current cartridge "cheap", i.e. not from Brother?
The price difference between Brother and 3rd-party is huge.

I would buy Brother if I were (say) a small business with customers to impress
etc, and a large output, but over 75% of my annual usage is printing a quiz for the local pub, just 6 or 7 times a year.

Any tips?

John

Shake it. If that doesn't work buy a replacement from somewhere like
StinkyInk
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 30/06/2026 22:58, Sparky wrote:

Another John wrote:

I'm wondering about the best way forward:

My Brother HL-2350DW-a (B/W laser) printer has been printing paler and
paler
over the last few months. Naturally I'd prefer that it printed BLACK, not
grey.-a It still has about 30% toner in the cartridge, according to the
printer
suport app.-a The printer itself is about 5 years old (I can't
remember, and I
can't remember where I bought it !)

Is this because I bought the current cartridge "cheap", i.e. not from
Brother?
-a-a The price difference between Brother and 3rd-party is huge.

I would buy Brother if I were (say) a small business with customers to
impress
etc, and a large output, but over 75% of my annual usage is printing a
quiz
for the local pub, just 6 or 7 times a year.

Any tips?

John

Shake it. If that doesn't work buy a replacement from somewhere like StinkyInk

To put a bit more meat on the bones . . . remove the cartridge and shake
it from end to end a few times to redistribute the toner powder. Then
put it back and check whether that has made any difference.
--
Cheers,
Roger
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